Residents of Hawaii faced widespread disruption on Monday as Tropical Storm Lala caused significant damage from downtown Honolulu to the Big Island. The storm uprooted trees, resulted in flash flooding, and brought strong winds, leaving thousands without power.
In the southern part of the Big Island, the situation was dire. Communities became isolated due to blocked roads and disrupted communication lines. Floodwaters even disturbed some grave sites, increasing the complexity of the disaster.
A tragic incident was reported with the storm being blamed for the death of a woman in Naalehu. Details about the circumstances were not immediately available.
Lala transitioned from a hurricane to a tropical storm on Sunday as it impacted the state, causing intense rainfall and flooding without making landfall. Meteorologists expect the storm to regain hurricane strength at sea by Wednesday but pose no further threat to land.
In response to the storm, public schools, some private institutions, and state offices were closed on Monday. Both schools and county offices on the Big Island planned to remain closed on Tuesday. Cleanup operations commenced with crews focusing on repairing infrastructure and clearing debris.
Hawaiian Electric reported approximately 104,000 power outages by Monday afternoon due to downed trees, utility poles, and transmission towers. The Big Island’s power transmission system experienced significant damage.
The storm compromised emergency communications, temporarily affecting the 911 service on the Big Island. Service was restored by afternoon.
“My district is in shambles,” stated state Rep. Jeanné Kapela from the Kau district, on the island’s southern end. She described communities like Punaluu as stranded by blocked roads. Punaluu is known for its black-sand beach and has about 100 households.
Efforts by Kapela included establishing satellite internet connections in affected areas without power or cellular service. She highlighted the often-overlooked rural communities in the storm’s path.
Governor Josh Green expressed hope that access to the cut-off areas would be restored soon. He urged respect for the sacred ancestral sites disturbed by the flooding.
Approximately 100 homes on the Big Island were reported to have been severely damaged or washed away. Officials advised the public to avoid ocean waters that appear brown or murky.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as of Monday, though hazardous surf and rip currents persisted. Heavy rainfall still posed a landslide risk, according to meteorologist Patrick Blood.
“There’s no real looming hazards that we’re facing now,” Blood indicated, noting that Lala had moved west.
Laupahoehoe recorded the heaviest rainfall at 43.54 inches. Wind speeds peaked with 140 mph gusts on Mauna Kea. Across the island, residents experienced tropical storm force winds.
Federal support for recovery efforts came through U.S. Senator Brian Schatz’s coordination. He communicated with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, pressing for emergency funding to assist in road repair and debris clearance.
Leave a Reply